Pre-approved? Know what you can afford? That means it is time to start house hunting! The hunt for your dream home can stall quickly if you aren’t sure what your “dream” looks like. It’s easy to talk in generalities about wanting a “big” house or an “older” home, but in order to have a more specific

Nowhere to park? Create your own driveway with one of these affordable methods. A DIY driveway can be an easy want to add parking or improve the look of your home. Here are three relatively simple options. 1. Carve out a parking pad The easiest, most affordable way to get an extra parking space is t

Let’s face it—when it comes to laundry rooms, most of us are lucky to have a single shelf to hold detergent and a tiny counter for folding shirts. But because doing laundry is a weekly task that will never, ever end, finding more space to deal with it is a big bonus. Here are six smart ways to squee

Securing a home loan and buying a house after bankruptcy may sound like an impossible feat. Blame it on all those Monopoly games, but bankruptcy has a very bad rap, painting the filer as someone who should never be loaned money. The reality is that of the 600,000 Americans who file for bankruptcy ev

Chances are you don’t worry too much about radon until it is time to buy a home. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium, which can be found in nearly all soil types. It can travel through the soil, into the air and into your home through cracks, gaps o

Buying new construction is a different process than buying your typical pre-built home. What’s included, what’s not, and what’s hidden in that massive contract depends on the builder that you use. As with any situation where you’re moving or about to spend a lot of hard earned money, it’s important

Are you selling your home and reviewing several offers? Congratulations! You’re well on your way to getting as much as possible out of what is likely your largest asset. But when it comes to picking an offer, sometimes it’s important to take a step back and recognize that your bottom line shouldn’t

As the real estate market turns sluggish, you may have to take steps to set your home apart from others. It won't be enough to just put out a for-sale sign and wait for potential buyers. One way that homeowners can sell their homes more speedily is by home staging, which can have the added benefit o

Ready to sell your house? Here are a few staging tips to get your home prepared for the market. When listing a home that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions, you want to make sure it is presented in the best light. You wouldn't buy a $50,000 car if it was filled from top to botto

You’ve probably heard about all the benefits of apple cider vinegar in the beauty department - it can be used as a toner, a deodorant, and even a conditioning hair rinse. But did you know ACV can be used as a cleaning product? If you’ve been thinking of going non-toxic, replacing your current cleane

Sometimes house upkeep can be a stressful addition to your to-do list. If you are having trouble keeping the house clean, it might be time to delegate those tasks to someone else. House cleaning can be extremely time-consuming, so hiring a cleaning service can open up your schedule for things that a

You've found your dream home. After months of searching, you're finally closing on the house that you've wanted for so long. The last thing you want to do is take any action that would interfere with the closing of your home. Since the start of your home search, your agent has probably told you time

Paint colors can drastically affect the feeling of a room. It can make it enjoyable to be in, or leave you feeling uncomfortable. It can alter the perception of the room's shape and size and add to, or take away from, the atmosphere you're trying to portray in your space. The paint you use in your h

If you are considering becoming a property investor, you may wonder why you should buy a rental and what indicators to look for when trying to find a property. Here are some signs to look for if you are on the fence about investing in a rental that indicate it is a great time to buy! Low Interest Ra

Sing me some graces, there is such a thing as over-cleaning! Here are ten chores around the home that you really only need to do annually, minus special circumstances. Let's dive in! 1. Curtains & Drapes Unfortunately, we don't mean the dusting part. You'll want to dust at least once a month, but wh

Is buying in your future? While the idea of rent-to-own seems reasonable, in practice, such arrangements may not be in a buyer’s best interest. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission cautions against rent-to-own deals, mostly because of the risks involved and the very real potential for scams. “No cr

Laundry doesn't exactly make the top of the list when it comes to enjoyable chores. Unfortunately, it is one of the chores that we can't really get rid of. Instead of dreading laundry day, try these tips to help you manage your load and make the most of your time. Before you know it, you may even lo

Strolling to a cafe for breakfast, walking around the corner to yoga—isn’t that the life? Before you buy or rent, here’s how to suss out whether a neighborhood you’re interested in will let you get out from behind the wheel. See what locals have to say. When it comes to picking a neighborhood, do a

Can one agent represent both parties? The answer: It depends. Buyers and sellers sometimes have the option of entering into a dual agency relationship with their real estate agent. Although this is not necessarily a problem, you should be aware of exactly what a dual real estate agency means and the

There is a myriad of reasons buyers don’t want their names associated with their home address. Certainly, celebrities or professional athletes aren’t eager to give up their home info, nor are public officials, police officers, or survivors of domestic abuse. In fact, the same applies to any homeowne